(December 23, 2011) More Members Of Congress Urge U.S. Neutrality In Taiwan Elections / 多位眾議員呼籲美國對台灣大選維持中立

More Members Of Congress Urge U.S. Neutrality In Taiwan Elections

In recent letters to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) and Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) called on the U.S. administration to maintain political neutrality and to help ensure a fair and open electoral process in Taiwan’s upcoming presidential vote.

Announcement of these two letters comes on the heels of a December 21st letter by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), expressing similar concerns.

The December 21st 2011 letter from Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) to Secretary Clinton stated: “We must send a strong signal that the U.S. is committed to seeing that Taiwan’s elections are free, fair, and transparent, and that the results are respected by all sides within Taiwan and by all of its neighbors.”

McCaul continued: “In keeping with our own founding principles of freedom and democracy, I urge the Administration to refrain from speaking or acting in any way that might be construed as favoring any one candidate over the others.”

He concluded: “Taiwan today is a free and independent country,” and “The United States must […] remain vigilant for possible attempts by the People’s Republic of China to either undermine the integrity of the electoral process in Taiwan―whether by military or other means―or to interfere with the transfer of power after the election if the opposition party is victorious on January 14.”

In a separate letter to Secretary of State Clinton dated November 21, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) also expressed his concerns. He noted: “The State Department has been clear about the U.S. position regarding Taiwan’s elections. On September 15, 2011, State spokesman Mark Toner stated, “We strongly support Taiwan’s democracy and the will of the Taiwanese people to choose their leaders in the upcoming election. Our only interest is in a free, fair and open presidential election. We don’t take any sides.””

He emphasized: “It is critical that our government continue to refrain from endorsing a particular political candidate or party [….] I ask you to ensure that our government does not actively or inadvertently influence the outcome of the upcoming Taiwanese elections.”

In response, FAPA President Dr. Bob Yang says: “We commend these gestures of bipartisan support in the U.S. House and Senate for free, fair, and transparent elections in Taiwan.”

Prof. Yang concludes: “I am particularly pleased that members of Congress are so strongly supportive of real democracy in Taiwan, and that they emphasize that the United States will do what is within its powers to help preserve these hard-won freedoms against both internal threats in Taiwan as well as well as outside interference from the People’s Republic of China.”

The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Clinton:

In less that two months, the people of Taiwan will hold national elections. This will be the fifth presidential elections since the country became a full-fledged democracy. It is critical that our government continue to refrain from endorsing a particular political candidate or party.

Taiwan’s contested, close, and comprehensive elections signify its successful transition to democracy. Just a generation ago, Taiwan was a police state under martial law. Now, the Taiwanese are a model for people everywhere who seek to live in freedom, and who aspire to peaceful transition to a democratic government.

The State Department has been clear about the U.S. position regarding Taiwan’s elections. On September 15, 2011, State spokesperson Mark Toner stated, “I can just assure you that we strongly support Taiwan’s democracy and the will of the Taiwanese people to choose their leaders in the upcoming election. Our only interest is in a free, fair, and open presidential election. We don’t take any sides.”

As members of the Administration continue to visit our close ally and fellow democracy, I ask that you work to ensure that our government does not actively or inadvertently influence the outcome of the upcoming Taiwanese elections.

Thank you for you attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Sherrod Brown
United States Senator

* * * * * * * * * * * *

CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515-4310

I write to you today about presidential and legislative elections that are set to take place in Taiwan on January 14, 2012. As I am sure you are aware, this will be only the fifth direct presidential election in that country’s history.

Since Taiwan’s peaceful transition from authoritarianism to liberal democracy less than two decades ago, the United States has supported the right of the Taiwanese people to freely elect their leaders. In keeping with our own founding principles of freedom and democracy, I urge the Administration to refrain from speaking or acting in any way that might be construed as favoring any one candidate over the others in the closely-fought electoral campaign currently playing out in Taiwan.

Moreover, as we continue to keep a close watch on the developments in Taiwan, the United States must also remain vigilant for possible attempts by the People’s Republic of China to either undermine the integrity of the electoral process in Taiwan—whether by military or other means—or to interfere with the transfer of power after the election if the opposition party is victorious on January 14. We must send a strong signal that the U.S. is committed to seeing that Taiwan’s elections are free, fair, and transparent, and that the results are respected by all sides within Taiwan and by all of its neighbors.

Taiwan today is a free and independent country that stands as a model for other nations still aspiring to the basic rights and liberties that its citizens now enjoy. The democratic spirit of the Taiwanese people persists in spite of the overwhelming military threat that the People’s Republic of China has wielded over it for years, and the United States must do what is within its power to help preserve these hard-won freedoms.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to working with you to continue strengthening our cooperation with the people of Taiwan in the coming year.

Sincerely yours,

MICHAEL McCAUL
Member of Congress

(December 23, 2011) More Members Of Congress Urge U.S. Neutrality In Taiwan Elections / 多位眾議員呼籲美國對台灣大選維持中立